St Mary the Virgin Church, Sellindge

You'll find St Mary the Virgin tucked into the village of Sellindge, a few miles inland from Hythe, and it's one of those churches that rewards a proper look inside. The building itself is 13th-century, which means the stonework carries real weight - thick walls, original arches, the sort of details that make you actually stop and notice rather than drift through on autopilot.

It's a working parish church, so expect the usual mix of medieval structure and later additions. The chancel's particularly worth seeing if you get the chance to look around. This isn't a tourist attraction in the showy sense - there are no gift shops or guided tours - but that's rather the point. It feels like a genuine community space that happens to have centuries of history baked into its fabric.

Sellindge itself is quiet, almost sleepy. The church sits comfortably within the village rather than dominating it, which gives the whole visit a low-key feel. You could easily spend twenty minutes inside, then wander the churchyard if the weather's decent. If you're camping at Fallow Fields near Dymchurch or New Beach Holiday Park, St Mary's is close enough for a morning detour without eating into your day.

Go if you're into medieval architecture or just fancy a gentle walk through proper Kentish countryside. Skip it if you're after something with more obvious bells and whistles. The admission situation varies - best ring ahead or check locally in Hythe.